Off The Grid

Join us for the Opening Reception of 'Off The Grid' featuring a new series by John de la O, June 3, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:30PM.

We request a dress code of Downtown Cocktail attire.

From the artist:

'My newest exhibition entitled “Off The Grid” is a presentation of new paintings completed in the last few months of 2026.

In this series I explore themes of anxiety, insomnia, isolation, anonymity, memory loss, mortality, substance use, abuse and withdrawal, all culled from my own experiences in the last couple of years. My hope is that these depictions transcend the personal and feel universal.

My initial concept was to intentionally avoid my established methods of creating, and to explore territory previously unseen in my paintings, though present in a lot of my work on paper. Specifically, I wanted to work with no photographic reference or guidelines, painting solely from my head, “freestyling” the content and imagery. I did not want to be beholden to the style of art and process I am known for. Rather, I wanted to look inward, showcasing an expressionistic and painterly visual language.

Additionally, the title of the series contains a double meaning. as well as literally going “off the grid” of enlarging collages and painting by them by hand, I chose to log off of technology and avoid influences such as pop culture, photography, and pop artists who had inspired me in the past. I chose solitude, quiet, the subconscious and my inner painting voice, in place of the noise of media and the outside world.

Beyond the subliminal inspiration of expressionistic and illustration based art I have absorbed and connected with over the years, I was guided by my own inner reference of dreams, memory and imagination. The techniques employed are more free in execution, experimenting with my acrylic painting style, not limiting myself to a tightly controlled vernacular that people expect from me as an artist. Furthermore, mediums not usually seen in my work are present, such as chalk pastels, ink, and vine charcoal.

Above all, this series sprung out of a desire to be as honest and personal as possible in my work in terms of approach and subject matter, and to present my “hand” in its purest form. A glimpse into the corners of my mind.

I hope this leap of faith in my work can both push my own artistic boundaries as well as draw the viewer in, resonating with them in some way, and encouraging them to explore similar moments and feeling in their own lives, while providing a satisfying visual encounter.'